Everything that accounting firms need to know about a CPA job description is here! If you’re looking for a relevant, up-to-date CPA job description, then look no further. This piece includes CPA qualifications, CPA job duties, CPA job responsibilities, and sample templates for those looking for a high-quality and updated CPA job description.
What are the Qualifications for CPA?
To qualify as a certified public accountant (CPA), your employees must meet specific requirements based on 3 Es (education, experience, and examinations). Though these qualifications vary by state, regulatory boards like the NASBA, AICPA, and FASB require applicants the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting (or a related field) from an accredited institution
- At least one (1) year working experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA
- Passing the Uniform CPA Examination
What Degree is Required to be a Certified Public Accountant?
While the typical trajectory for aspiring CPAs is a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related fields like finance or business administration, they can still be eligible for taking the Uniform CPA Examination given that they complete a minimum number of credit hours in accounting and/or other related subjects.
These educational requirements are put in place to ensure that candidates have a strong foundational knowledge of principles and practices within the field of accounting before pursuing licensure as a CPA. When they take up an accounting degree, they equip themselves with valuable skills and knowledge in areas such as financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and ethics to increase their chances of success in their profession.
What Topics are Included in the Certified Public Accountant Exam?
The Uniform CPA Exam covers various topics in no particular order. These mandatory topics are Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Taxation and Regulation (REG), and Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR).
The scope of the exam also includes three (3) discipline exams: Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP), and Information Systems and Controls (ISC). The examinee can choose one topic from the three discipline exams according to their chosen niche/specialization in accounting.
Overall, aspiring CPAs demonstrate their expertise, knowledge, and commitment to upholding high ethical standards within the accounting profession by meeting these rigorous qualifications.
Read More: What is a CPA? What Does a Certified Public Accountant Do? Your Ultimate Guide to Being a CPA
CPA Duties and Responsibilities: What are the Duties of a CPA?
Although it can vary according to state and company, the following are the most common CPA duties and responsibilities throughout the United States:
- Preparing and certifying financial statements
- Conducting both in-house and external company audits
- Preparing and reviewing business and individual returns
- Filing reports to the SEC
- Representing clients before the IRS
- Providing sound financial analysis and advice to clients
- Improving budgeting and risk assessment strategies
- Conducting research for realistic financial forecasting
- Staying up to date with industry trends, rules, and regulations
Hard Skills for Aspiring CPAs
Aside from meeting the specific requirements based on the 3 Es (education, experience, and examinations), all accountants – not just CPAs – need to have at least a basic grasp or understanding of the following:
- Auditing
- Financial analysis
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting and financial forecasting
- Tax compliance
- GAAP compliance
- Proficiency in accounting software
- Ethics in accounting
Soft Skills for Aspiring CPAs
While having the right set of hard skills is a prerequisite to be a certified public accountant, it’s the soft skills that give your employees career longevity. Here are some soft skills that any aspiring CPA can use:
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Time management
- Critical thinking
Hard and soft skills go hand in hand — one can’t work without the other. If your employees want to be a certified public accountant, then they can take steps to develop the areas they’re lacking in and stay determined to pursue further education to keep themselves updated with the ever-changing accounting industry, especially the international standards and regulations.
CPA Job Description Sample Templates
Position Overview:
We are looking for a Certified Public Accountant. He/she will be responsible for the preparation and certification of financial statements, conducting internal and external audits, updating our financial accounts and records, filing reports to the SEC, and representing our firm before the IRS.
Role Qualifications:
- Graduate of Accounting or any related course
- Passed the CPA exam and obtained CPA certification
- Experience in Accounting (preferably North American Accounting)
- Similar experience as a Certified Public Accountant
- Proficiency in accounting software (Quickbooks, Karbon)
- Multi-tasking skills
- Accuracy and attention to details
- Time management and organizational skills
Job Type: Full Time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Disability insurance
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5PM
Salary: $150 – $200 an hour
Role: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Industry: HRTech
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Setup: Onsite
Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000
Relocation: Yes
Type: Full-Time/Exempt/Benefits
Overview of the Role:
As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Utah, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and compliance of our clients’ businesses. You will be responsible for providing expert financial advice, managing financial records, and ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Join our team and be an integral part of our clients’ success while enjoying the opportunities that Utah has to offer.
Requirements:
- Active CPA license
- 5+ years of tax experience
- Master’s Degree preferred
- Can prepare/review business and individual returns
- Can prepare individual federal and state tax returns that cover every state
- Experienced with all types of returns like corporation, S corporation, LLC, gift taxes, partnership, and trusts, among others
- Proficient with tax and/or accounting software like QuickBooks and Karbon
- Proficient with MS Excel (functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP etc.)
- Committed and responsible; meticulous and attentive to details; excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Can answer questions from the juniors and communicate effectively with clients
Key Responsibilities:
- Preparation, analysis, and certification of financial reports/statements with an in-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Conducting internal and external audits for the assessment of financial controls and the identification of areas for improvement
- Ensuring tax laws compliance through the management of tax planning, preparation, and compliance to state and federal tax laws and regulations
- Staying updated regarding rules and changes in accounting standards and industry trends, ensuring compliance and mitigating financial risks
- Providing insightful financial analysis and advice to clients for more informed budgeting, realistic risk assessment and research-backed forecasting to help clients achieve their mission and vision
- Collaborating with legal, operations, and finance teams to ensure the alignment of financial goals for the entire firm
Think you have what it takes? Submit your resume to [name]@[companyemail].com
Why You Should Hire a Certified Public Accountant
There’s a certain edge that hiring a certified public accountant gives your firm. Aside from the usual auditing, tax, and bookkeeping tasks, as well as budgeting, forecasting, and financial analyses that generalist accountants do, here are some duties and responsibilities that are exclusively done by a certified public accountant:
- Filing reports to the SEC
- Representing clients before the IRS
- Certifying financial statements
- Conducting internal and external audits for companies
Unlike CPAs, general accountants can only conduct in-house (and not external) audits for companies, can only prepare tax returns and financial statements (as they cannot represent your firm before the IRS nor can they certify your financial statements), and can only record and categorize financial transactions, without being able to file reports to the SEC.
How to Hire a CPA: Successfully Onboarding a Certified Public Accountant
If you want your accounting firm to be a cut above the rest, hiring a certified public accountant is an excellent way to do so. Here are tried-and-tested ways to onboard the best possible certified public accountant.
- Source your applicant from verified sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.
- Accept referrals from trusted, reliable, and credible sources
- Contact the official organization where the applicant obtained their license
- Exclude the candidates with suspicious or unverified credentials
- Test their skills and knowledge in accounting, especially in their areas of expertise
In-house or Offshore Certified Public Accountant: Which is the Better Choice?
When deciding between an in-house or offshore certified public accountant (CPA), you should consider the specific needs and requirements of your business. An in-house CPA offers the advantage of being readily available for face-to-face communication, which can foster a stronger understanding of the company’s financial situation and goals. In-house CPAs can also have a better grasp of the local regulations and tax laws that apply to your business, ensuring compliance and minimizing risks.
On the other hand, hiring an offshore CPA can provide cost savings due to lower labor costs in certain countries, as well as access to a larger pool of talent with diverse expertise and specialized skills. However, there could also be timezone differences and language barriers that could present challenges when working with an offshore CPA.
All in all, deciding between in-house and offshore CPAs should be based on factors such as company budget, your desired level of control and oversight, and the complexity of financial tasks required by your business.
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